Once upon a time in Los Angeles--during the infamous mid-'80s Guns N' Roses era--the City of Angels was spewing forth dirty, blues-influenced rock bands. Little Caesar, Junkyard, the Hangmen--even the names were redolent of dirty rock & roll, Harleys, and barroom brawls. A new breed of rebel rock has emerged in Buckcherry--sober, tattooed blues-metallers whose charismatic singer, Josh Todd, boasts a compelling Iggy Pop-Jim Morrison-Axl Rose persona. Buckcherry's 12-track debut album, produced by Terry Date (Pantera) with coproduction from former Sex Pistol Steve Jones, kicks off with the nasty, aggressive groove of "Lit Up." While the song is irresistible, many might have a problem with the "I love the cocaine" chorus. Still, Todd's persona works well with the band's aggro, melodic stomp, and with bands such as the Black Crowes, Nashville Pussy, and Honky Toast keeping barroom rock alive, Buckcherry are a ballsy and bold entry into the fray, as suited to share a stage with Hanoi Rocks as they would be with Motörhead. --Katherine Turman